Assisting Clergy Members, Missionaries and Other Religious Workers
In the U.S. system of immigration and citizenship, members of the clergy, missionaries and other religious workers receive special consideration in a number of different ways, including special rules for nonimmigrant visas, lawful permanent residence and naturalization.
I am Richard M. Green, an experienced religious worker visa attorney based in Orange County, California, and serving clients worldwide. Over more than a decade of immigration law practice, I have assisted many religious workers with all of the following issues, often by working closely with their employers to identify options and guide them through the process:
- R-1 religious worker visas: If you wish to enter the U.S. on a temporary or otherwise nonimmigrant basis in order to do religious work, you may be eligible for a visa under the R-1 category, and your spouse and children may be eligible under the R-2 category.
- Special immigrant religious worker visas: If you are a religious worker and you want to become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (green card holder), you may be eligible under the special immigrant category, which parallels the R-1 category in many ways.
- Naturalization for religious workers: If you are a green card holder and you want to become a U.S. citizen, but you have not been physically present in the country long enough due to your or your spouse's missionary work, you may be eligible to file to naturalize while overseas.
Contact an Experienced California R-1 Visa Attorney at 714-968-1670
The immigration rules and procedures affecting religious workers are complex, and the guidance of an experienced lawyer can play a major role in helping you achieve your goals. To schedule a free consultation, please contact my office at 714-968-1670 or by e-mail.
